Castile Before Spain: The 100 Years That Created a Superpower

Spain did not begin as one country. A century before 1479, the Crown of Castile already dominated most of Iberia—but its biggest danger was often not a foreign enemy. It was the struggle over who controlled Castile itself. This video follows Castile from 1379 to 1479 through the most important and memorable turning points: the failed attempt to take Portugal, the English claim to the Castilian throne, the violent crisis of 1391, the wool economy that made Castile rich, the rise and fall of Álvaro de Luna, battles against Granada, the capture of Gibraltar, the bizarre Farce of Ávila, Isabella’s rise, her marriage to Ferdinand, and the Castilian succession war. The story stays centered on Castile. Portugal, Aragon, England, and Granada appear only when they directly change Castile’s future. By 1479 Isabella controlled Castile and Ferdinand inherited Aragon. The crowns were still legally separate, but the political structure that would become Spain was taking shape. #Castile #SpainHistory #MedievalHistory #Isabella #HistoryEra